Cardinals Picks...#10, #41, #72, #107,#142,#177,#218

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#10

Matt Leinart QB USC



Position: QB
Class: Sr
School: USC
Conference: Pacific-10
Ht., Wt.: 6-5, 223
40 Time: 4.91

Grading System

BIO: Moved into the starting lineup as a sophomore and earned All-America and All-Conference honors ever since. Two-time Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year recipient and Heisman Trophy Award winner as a junior. Senior passing totals included 65%/3,450/27 after 65.3%/3,322/33/6 as a junior. Posted a career-high 3,556 yards passing and 38 touchdowns as a sophomore.

POSITIVES: Intelligent, high-percentage left-handed passer and considered an outstanding field general. Throws with solid fundamentals from start to finish, patient in the pocket and always in control of the situation. Goes through receiver progressions, consistently looks off the safety and rarely makes poor choices. Cognizant of where receivers are on the field, displays a sense of timing and does not pull the trigger until the last second. Gets outside the pocket, giving himself better field vision, puts touch on throws when necessary and nicely places passes into receivers. hands. Displays stature in the pocket, withstanding the rush and always poised. Offers an adequate deep arm while also displaying the ability to zip shorter throws.

NEGATIVES: Not a quarterback who makes plays with his legs or can escape the rush. Lacks a cannon and cannot drive the deep ball.

ANALYSIS: Polished in all aspects of the game, Leinart is a leader who pushes himself on and off the field. May not fit a vertical offense yet excels in enough areas and offers the intangibles to be a franchise quarterback at the next level.

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#41

Taitusi Lutui OG USC



Position: OG
Class: 4Sr
School: USC
Conference: Pacific-10
Ht., Wt.: 6-3.5, 334
40 Time: 5.45
Selected by: Arizona Cardinals
Round 2, pick 9 (41 overall)
Grading System

BIO: Two-year starter used at right tackle and guard. All-Conference and All-America choice as a senior.

POSITIVES: Powerful small-area blocker best on the strong side. Quick into blocks, plays with good lean and very strong at the point. Solid position blocker with the ability to turn defenders off the line. Explosive, jolts opponents off the snap and stays with assignments.

NEGATIVES: Lacks adjustment, footwork and does not play with great balance. Struggles moving laterally and heavy-footed in motion.

ANALYSIS: A large blocker who is tough to get around, Lutui has shown consistent signs of progress the past two years. Not as tall as most would like in a strong-side tackle yet has starting potential at the next level.

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#72

Leonard Pope TE Georgia



Position: TE
Class: Jr
School: Georgia
Conference: Southeastern
Ht., Wt.: 6-7.5, 258
40 Time: 4.67
Selected by: Arizona Cardinals
Round 3, pick 8 (72 overall)
Grading System

BIO: Broke into the starting unit as a sophomore and has won All-Conference honors ever since. Led the team in receiving last year with 39/541/4 after 25/482/6 as a sophomore.

POSITIVES: King-sized pass-catching threat who creates mismatches in a defensive secondary. Quickly releases into routes, remains focused throughout the action and makes the tough grab in a crowd. Immediately gets to top speed and consistently makes important receptions down the field. Extends and adjusts to grab the pass from the air, displaying soft and strong hands. Gives effort blocking and works to play with good pad level.

NEGATIVES: Lacks footwork in pass protection. Bends at the waist as a blocker and does not finish the play.

ANALYSIS: An imposing target, Pope has been a game-changing pass-catcher the past two seasons. May never turn into a dominant blocking force but his playmaking skills catching the ball will give him significant opportunities as a rookie.

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#107

DT/NT Gabe Watson Michigan

Position: DT
Class: Sr
School: Michigan
Conference: Big Ten
Ht., Wt.: 6-3.5, 339
40 Time: 5.32

Grading System

BIO: Moved into the starting lineup as a junior and awarded All-Conference honors the past two years. Senior totals included 40/6.5/2 after 37/7/2 the prior year.

POSITIVES: Athletic, wide-bodied run stuffer who flashes dominance. Quick off the snap, powerful and bull-rushes opponents off the line of scrimmage. Moves well laterally, immediately alters his angle of attack and has a burst of speed. Plays with a good degree of explosion and is effective when he keeps his pads low.

NEGATIVES: Must significantly improve his hand technique and learn to protect himself. Gets tall and can be handled by ordinary blockers. Skates through plays, takes downs off, and not known as a consistent worker.

ANALYSIS: A defender who controls the line of scrimmage when focused on the task at hand, Watson offers tremendous upside potential for the next level. A player who switches it on and off, Watson needs to improve his conditioning, intensity and consistency to reach the level of play scouts feel he is capable of.

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#142

OLB Brandon Johnson Louisville

Position: OLB
Class: Sr
School:
Conference: Conference USA
Ht., Wt.: 6-5, 228
40 Time: 4.55
Selected by: Arizona Cardinals
Round 5, pick 9 (142 overall)
Grading System

BIO: All-Conference selection as a senior after leading the Cardinals in tackles with 72/8.5/2. Also intercepted two passes and broke up five more. Three-year starter.

POSITIVES: Athletic linebacker prospect who projects to a number of spots. Scrapes well laterally, fluid changing direction and flashes on the scene. Displays skill in zone coverage and runs with backs or tight ends in pass defense. Fast to the flanks and stays with assignments.

NEGATIVES: Lacks instincts and hesitates reacting to the play. Overall game lacks a physical nature.

ANALYSIS: Offering growth potential and good timed speed, Johnson needs to improve his playing strength and work habits. Could develop into a starting linebacker if he puts forth the effort.

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#177

DT Jonathan Lewis Virginia Tech

Position: DT
Class: Sr
School: Virginia Tech
Conference: Atlantic Coast
Ht., Wt.: 6-1, 309
40 Time: 5.05
Selected by: Arizona Cardinals
Round 6, pick 8 (177 overall)
Grading System

BIO: Three-year starter who posted 38/7.5/4.5 last year after 40/11/5 as a junior. Awarded All-Conference honors both seasons. Posted a career-high 69 tackles as a sophomore.

POSITIVES: Explosive one-gap tackle with potential as a three-technique lineman. Has terrific first-step quickness, plays with good pad level and is built low to the ground. Rarely off his feet, displays a burst of closing speed and bears down on the action. Solid change of direction and fights hard throughout the play.

NEGATIVES: Undersized and controlled at the point of attack by a single opponent. Not a penetrator who commands double-team blocks.

ANALYSIS: Highly competitive, Lewis is a tough prospect who will be effective in a scheme which allows him to slant or twist through the gaps.

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#218

WR Todd Watkins BYU

Position: WR
Class: Sr
School: Brigham Young
Conference: Mountain West
Ht., Wt.: 6-2.5, 202
40 Time: 4.45
Selected by: Arizona Cardinals
Round 7, pick 10 (218 overall)
Grading System

BIO: Junior college transfer who totaled 49/678/9 as a senior after numbers of 52/1,042/6 in .04 when he was named an All-Conference performer.

POSITIVES: Explosive, game-breaking receiver coming off a disappointing senior campaign. Quickly releases off the line of scrimmage, displays sharpness running routes and comes back to the ball out of breaks. Effectively makes the reception away from his frame then quickly transitions after the catch. Has the speed to consistently beat defenders deep. Runs well laterally, making the reception in stride.

NEGATIVES: Not effective as a downfield blocker. Loses focus, takes his eyes off the ball and occasionally drops the easy reception. Not always on the same page as his quarterback.

ANALYSIS: Productive his only two seasons on a big college level, Watkins has big-play ability and the potential to develop into a No. 2 receiver in the NFL.